Structure for furniture and the like



June 4, 1957 J. J. wE'rzLER v STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE AND THE LIKE Filed .June 21, 1954 Piaf 9 Tnhs. i

United States Patent CC 2,791,194 STRUCTURE non rURNrTURE AND THE Lum Justin J. Wemler, Evanston, assigrior to The Englander Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application eine 21, 1:954, Serial No. 433,264 6 pimms. (ci. rss2-180) lThe present invention relates to a novel structure adapted to be used in pieces of furniture such for example as chairs, divans, couches, beds, or vehicle seats, and more particularly to a novel structure for attaching covering fabrics and the like to framejrnembers of such pieces of furniture. The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. N'o. 419,736, led March 30, 1954.

As set forth in my above mentioned copending application, frames for box spring units of various pieces of furniture land separate box spring units for use in beds and ythe like `as well as frame members for arms, backs and other portions of various pieces of furniture have generally been made from wood in the past. When wood is used for the frame or frame members covering fabrics may easily be secured thereto by means of tacks, staples or vthe like. The present invention, however, contemplates the use of metal framcmembers so that covering fabrics cannot be secured thereto by means of tacks, or other similar securing devices. It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel structure for use in box spring units or various pieces of furniture, which structure includes a metal fratrie member and la covering fabric, end wherein the fabric may be easily secured to ythe metal frame member in a novel and economical manner.

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide a novel metal frame member for box spring units or various pieces of furniture, which frame member is formed so that a covering fabric or the like may be easily attached thereto without the aid of separate securing means.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a i portion of a frame member and sections of fabrics secured to the frame member in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. l but showing a slightly modified form of the present invention;

Pig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another slightly modilied form of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various gures, a structure 10 embodying the principles of this invention is shown in Pigs. l and 2. This structure includes a metal frame member 12 which may be used for forming the frame of a box spring unit in the manner shown and described in the above mentioned copending application and which also may be 2,794,494 iiatented June 4, 1957 18 and 20 which are joined together by a web '22.

longitudinally -extending mid-portion of the web 'is formed to provide a channel Vwhich includes inwardly extending sections 24 and 26 that are parallel to the llanges 18 and 20 and a connecting section 28. The advantages and various uses of the frame member 1'2 have been fully set forth in the above mentioned copending Aapplication :and need'no't be 'repeated here.

In accordance with the present invention the frame member 12 is provided with simple integral means' for attaching the covering and dust protecting fabrics thereto rapidly land easily, and', therefore, economically. More specifically, a plurality of pointed barbs or prongs 3`0 are str'uck from the lower flange 20 `of the frame inem ber. As shown best in Fig. 2 the prongs 30 'extend downwardly from the flange 20 and also inwardlyf 'the frame member. Thus, the covering `fabric 1'4 may be easily attached to the frame member by forcing Athe prongs through the margin of the fabric. As understood opposite margins Vof the fabric will be secured to opposite sides of the frame so that the covering fabric is under suicient tension to prevent it from becoming disassembled from the prongs 30. While only a short section of the frame member 12 i s shown the drawings, it will be understood that the frame member 'may be of any desired length and that the 'prongs 30 are spaced :along substantially the 'entire length of the frame member for evenly retaining substantially all marginal portions of lthe covering fabric.

. In order to secure the dust protecting fb'ridl t'o the frame member a series f 'pointed barbs oi' prongs 32 are struck from the bottom ange 2l).V VThe 'prongs 32 are similar to the prongs 30 except that they are inclined downwardly and outwardly of the frame member as shown best in Fig. 2. It will be Iappreciated that the fabric 16 may be secured to the prongs 32 in substantially the same manner as the covering fabric is secured to the prongs 30. It should be noted that the prongs 30 and 32 are preferably disposed adjacent each other and in opposing relationship since this arrangement facilitates and simplifies the forming dies, not shown, and procedure required to strike the prongs from the flange. It should also be noted that the margins of the fabrics 14 :and 16 through which the prongs extend are preferably folded to at least a double thickness as shown in Fig. 2 whereby substantially to eliminate any possibility of tearing the fabrics.

In Pigs. 3 and 4 there is shown a structure 10a which is similar to the above described structure 10 as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suix a added to corresponding elements. This embodiment of the present invention differs from the .above described structure only in that the above mentioned dust protecting fabric 16 and the prongs 32 for securing the dust protecting fabric have been eliminated. Thus, the frame structure 10a is especially adapted for use whenever the dust protecting fabric may be eliminated either because it is not needed or because it is desired to provide a more economical structure.

Figs. 5 and 6 show another modified embodiment of the present invention which is similar tto the above described structure 10 :as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suix b added to corresponding elements. In this embodiment the above described prongs 30 and 32 have been replaced by similar pointed barbs or prongs 34, which prongs 34 are inclined upwardly from the flange 2Gb and outwardly relative to the frame member as shown best in Fig. 6. With this Y along the exterior surface of the ange Zlib for any de-v sired reason. The prongs 34 may also be utilized to secure a dust protecting fabric 16b in the manner shown and, therefore, the embodiment of Figs. Sand 6 has the still further advantage in that thev same prongs may be utilized for securing both the covering fabric and the dust protecting fabric.

From the above description it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel structure which is fully capable vof satisfying the objects heretofore set forth. More specically it is seen that Ithe present invention has provided a novel metal frame member for use in box spring units or other frame portions of various pieces of furniture, which frame member is formed so that one or more fabric .sections may be easily and economically secured thereto without the aid of separate fastening means.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been Yshown Yand described herein it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

I1. A structure of the type described for use in furniture comprising la sheet metal frame member, a plurality of Afabric sections extending in opposite directions from said Vframe member, and projection means integral with and struck from'said frame member and embedded in said fabric sections for attaching the fabric sections to the frame member.

2. A structure, as defined in claim l, wherein said pro jection means includes a first series of prongs, and a second series of prongs, the prongs in said first series being disposed oppositely to the prongs in said second serim, the prongs in said rslt series being embedded in one of said fabric sections and the prongs in said second series being embedded in another of said fabric sections.

3. A structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein said projection means includes a single series of prongs spaced along said frame member, said` prongs each being embedded in a plurality of said fabric sections.

4. A structure, as dened in claim 3, wherein said frame member includes a web portion and a laterally extending ange, said fabric sections overlie an inwardlyV facing surface of said flange, and wherein said prongs are inclined inwardly of said lflange and throughout said web portion.

5. ln Ia frame structure for furniture and the like an elongated sheetV metal frame member having a laterally extending ilange, and a series of pairs of projections integral with and struck from said ange for attaching Ia plurality 'of fabric sections to the flange, the projections `in each of said pairs of projections being inclined laterally from Ithe flange and extending generally toward each other.

j 6. In a web portion and a frame structure for furniture and the like an elongated sheet metal frame member having a laterally extending flange, Iand 'a series of projections spaced along said lange for attaching a fabric section to said ange, said projections being integral with and struck from said flange and being inclined laterally inwardly from said flange land projecting generally toward said web portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

